Barça looks for alternatives to Joshua Kimmich
One of the positions that Hansi Flick considers essential to strengthen in this summer market is that of the defensive midfielder. The German’s plan continues to be to sign Joshua Kimmich, although the operation remains paralyzed by the difficulties that Bayern Munich are having to sit down to negotiate. The player wants to leave the Allianz, but it is not easy, despite having only one more year of contract. Added to all this is Manchester City’s interest in Kimmich, a serious setback, as the English club has more financial muscle.
Amadou Onana, an alternative option
That is why Barça activated a plan B, the signing of Amadou Onana, a young Belgian midfielder who is shining at Everton. At only 22 years old, Onana is already an undisputed starter in the Belgian national team, to which is added a very high level in the Premier League. The big problem in this case is the financial one, since Everton is asking for 50 million euros for one of its most important talents, an amount that Barça cannot accept.
Mikel Merino, a third option
Barça, therefore, is investigating a third way and has recovered the option of signing Mikel Merino, once Martín Zubimendi has been ruled out for financial reasons. Merino, however, is on the market as he only has one more year left on his contract with Real Sociedad. The Navarrese midfielder would fit perfectly into the profile that Hansi Flick is looking for and would be the perfect complement to Pedri, Gavi and Gündogan.
Despite the fact that the value of Mikel Merino could rise due to his leading role in the European Championship in Germany, with the agonizing goal against the host team as a high point, Barça consider that they could sign Mikel Merino for an amount between 20 and 25 million euros.
Mikel Merino’s journey
Trained in Osasuna’s academy, Mikel Merino surprised everyone when he left Sadar at just 19 years old, despite already being an undisputed starter, by signing for Borussia Dortmund for 3.75 million euros. The experience didn’t go well and Mikel Merino went to Newcastle, where he gradually recovered, which convinced Real Sociedad to bet on the player, for whom they paid 12 million euros.
And the operation turned out to be quite a success, since Mikel Merino definitely exploded in Anoeta, until he became a point of reference for Imanol Alguacil’s team. In 6 seasons, the Navarrese has accumulated 242 games, in which he has scored 27 goals, a performance that has earned him to be part of the Spanish team that is competing in the European Championship in Germany and to be on Barça’s agenda by Hansi Flick.
